The latest garden trends were in full bloom at the recent Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show – and there are 10 worth introducing to your green space, no matter how small (but mighty) it is. So says John Jobbagy – head gardener at retirement villages brand Audley Villages’ Wycliffe Park Village – which offers retirement properties with terraces and balconies, along with communal allotments.
Vertical produce
Growing vegetables vertically saves space, requires less bending (which is kinder on your back, especially in later years) meaning they’re easier to harvest and you’re less likely to see pesky slugs or snails climbing north. Better yet, many ‘aerial veg’ flower and fruit over a longer period.
Beans and peas are typically grown against poles or canes anyway, but pumpkins, courgettes and cucumbers also fare well when reaching skyward. Herbs like lavender and rosemary add fragrance.
She Grows Veg shows how pretty, yet practical, this approach is with an arrangement of cabbages adorned with flowing yellow and white nasturtiums.
Pollinator-friendly planting
Entice the birds and bees by providing shelter, water and food. At Chelsea Flower Show 2025, the mesmerising Making Life Better with Bees Garden – designed by Humble-Bee Gardeners – was abuzz with pollinator-friendly plants like agapanthus. From snap dragons to sweet William, fuchsia to foxglove – whether you pot specially or let a little wildflower patch do its thing – flowers attract much fauna.
Bug hotels boomed in popularity a couple of years ago. Building and tending to them is a wonderful intergenerational activity. MS Amlin Peace of Mind Garden showcased a striking horizontal array more akin to artwork. Position wooden boxes similarly to create a garden gallery wall.
Even small water features – whether a bird bath or a simple bowl – attracts diverse wildlife, from dragonflies to diving beetles.
Save your seed-rich sunflower heads and hang from trees as homemade feed for feathered friends.
Garden games
Love a bit of friendly competition? Outdoor versions of noughts and crosses, or chess, can make a centrepiece to entertain family or members of your community when they visit. The London Square Chelsea Pensioners Garden mastered this with Battleships set into a table.
Crazy paving
You might be familiar with crazy paving from the 1970s. Now it’s back with a 21st century twist. Laying reclaimed stone in slightly random ways is a key trend – from the Boodles Radiance Garden, with its large pads leading up to a statement seating area, to the British Red Cross’ gold medal winning Here for Humanity scene, complete with interlocking hexagonal paving stones.
Pink
“Philadelphus Petite Perfume Pink” was crowned “Plant of the Year” at the Chelsea Flower Show 2025. This deciduous bloom is compact – good news for small spaces – low-maintenance and thrives in full sun so you’ll really reap the benefits in June / July. Its deep pink buds open into paler petals loved by bees and butterflies alike. The Glasshouse Garden was peppered by pinky hues including roses like the “Tuscany Superb”.
Statement pots
Displaying flowers in jam jars and bottles straight from the cupboard – whether on a little outdoor table or through the window overlooking your garden – possesses vintage charm. Or why not go even greener by looking to brands like Plant Warehouse which convert household objects destined for landfill into planters? For a more modern look, opt for huge concrete bases.
Houseplants
Introduce leaves of varying colours, shapes and textures to elevate the humble houseplant. Name aside, some can live outdoors in the summer months.
If you’re short on space, “window-scaping” with foliage helps you make a statement as passers-by look at your home.
Rainwater collection
Embrace British weather by collecting and harvesting rain in a water butt to nourish your plants or thirsty birds.
You might be familiar with “rain chains” – typically metal links that divert the elements from gutters to the ground in a more aesthetic, calming way. Boodles Raindance Garden took this to another level, crafting an elegant, repeated disc motif to guide rainwater into a circular rill. Make your own – whether from little buckets, spoons or even rocks. Copper or aluminium are durable, rust-resistant materials.
Wellness sanctuary
A garden or balcony serves as a space for quiet reflection. Designing for spiritual wellbeing and mental health is increasingly popular. The Addleshaw Goddard Freedom to Flourish Garden embodied this beautifully – inspired by the Norfolk landscape, pools rose and fell to mimic the tide alongside natural, sandy materials. Flora-wise, pops of mauve from Baptisia Australis (or ‘Dame’s Rocket’) paired with the peach of Oenothera odorata “Apricot Delight’”.
Wall greenhouse
Greenhouses offer a controlled environment for optimal plant growth, protected from harsh weather and pests. But they needn’t be the reserve of expansive gardens. Wilstone offers a slim, stylish structure inspired by 19th century French glasshouses with a mirrored back to maximise light impact. Miniature “cloche” versions are even better for highly treasured corners of your outdoor space.
Create a garden or balcony that, no matter its size, helps you feel your best, wows your guests and protects the planet – even its pintsized pollinators.
